Finalists for the 2013 Mercury Awards in the Warehousing and/or Storage Solutions category, sponsored by Schaefer Systems are:
Manhattan Associates
Manhattan Associates is a leading global supply chain optimisation provider.
The company has been nominated for implementing a warehouse solution that allows Super Retail Group to have full visibility of inventory; scalability to allow for increase SKU’s and product lines; and a solution that could seamlessly integrate into existing legacy IT systems.
The challenge for Super Retail Group was to create a new distribution strategy incorporating a series of internal multi-user distribution centres so that inventory from all eight business units could be managed across each distribution centre.
This particular challenge arose when SRG acquired several additional brands such as Rebel and Amart Sports, which rapidly increased the company’s product mix, creating increased complexity across its SKUs.
Manhattan SCOPE has provided SRG with full visibility of inventory levels across all eight of its brands. By having this visibility, SRG can plan and forecast inventory levels to ensure they have enough stock on hand to satisfy customers’ needs in store. In addition, many of SRGs brands now have online portals, allowing customers to place orders online. By introducing Manhattan SCOPE and creating a series of internal multi-user distribution centres, SRG has a better understanding of exactly what products they have on hand, where the products are located and how long it will take to ship to the customer.
SolidPlus
SolidPlus hold exclusive distribution rights for many tyre brands, with operations and distribution centres in every Australian state.
SolidPlus is cementing itself in the industrial/forklift tyre service industry through technical innovation in its warehousing and storage solutions.
The company has implemented a raft of technological solutions that ensures its customers warehouse and storage solutions are made easier.
New key digital features that are part of this solution include tailor-made IT programs for each individual customer, online fleet monitoring, online ordering and the recording of KPIs for each job.
All SolidPlus forklift tyre service trucks across Australia are fitted with GPS navigators and tracking devices so customers are kept in the loop regarding arrival times. Customers are also receiving accurate real-time invoices direct to specific accounting staff and detailed records are kept so customers can manage much of their account online.
The company says the success of the initiative has filtered down from the corporate decision makers who save valuable time and money to the busy press operator getting his hands dirty, ensuring the forklift driver is a happy end user.
Ross Grassick from Lencrow Group, a leading material handling company, said SolidPlus had helped improved his company’s cashflow.
“SolidPlus billing is instantaneous; we get real-time costing and invoice our customers momentarily. The difference to our cash flow is now 20-30 per cent better.”
Polar Fresh Cold Chain Services
Polar Fresh Cold Chain Services, Parkinson Chilled Distribution Centre (CDC) operates as a third party logistics provider; providing dedicated storage and service to a major national supermarket chain.
In October 2012, Polar Fresh Parkinson went live with the implementation of fresh produce to the site. This resulted in significant change to the operation of the business; with it not only requiring double the amount of team members and almost double the amount of volume being moved through the site.
The implementation of produce into the Parkinson site has resulted in significantly reduced costs for their customer; with a dramatic reduction in the cost-per-carton. The process of moving produce in-to-store is also more controlled through the Polar Fresh site; resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings for both Polar Fresh and its customer. The systems being utilised by Polar Fresh allow for more control over produce. The system allows for greater traceability; meaning that at any one time, Polar Fresh can determine where product is and provide accurate information to suppliers, internal stakeholders, its customer and the stores. Since the implementation there is better management of date codes of product; resulting in more frequent turnover of stock through the distribution centre and less product going to waste through going out-of-date whist waiting for delivery. Stores are also receiving more frequently deliveries, again resulting in higher quality products being supplied.
The dedicated facility now employs over 650 Team Members and supplies all confectionary, milk, poultry, meat, dairy, chilled, frozen and fresh produce products to over 200 stores throughout Queensland and New South Wales.
With over 1.3 million cartons despatched per week, Polar Fresh Parkinson CDC is a 24 hour a day, 7 days per week site and the largest site (chilled or otherwise) in its customers network.